Call for Book Reviews

on April 17, 2011
in All Posts

Something fun:  I’m looking for YOUR one-paragraph book reviews of popular sport/endurance/healthy eating books, like Born to Run, Ultramarathon Man, Fast Food Nation, Age is Just a Number, It’s Not About The Bike, What I Talk About When I Talk About Running, and more.

lance ultramarathon-man-confessions-all-night-runner-dean-karnazes-paperback-cover-art

I want to compile all your reviews in a big post about inspirational healthy living books!  If you want to be included, send me your name, your blog (if you have one), the title of the book, and why you did or did not like it.  I’ll credit everyone for the reviews, even if I don’t use your specific review in the post (in case I get doubles).  Send them to caitlinjboyle@gmail.com!

 

So…

 

Last night was lots of fun – the Husband and I went over to Isaac and Nicole’s for dinner.

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Maggie and James came, too.

 

Nicole and Isaac are actually on a Candida-elimination diet, which basically means no sugar, no high-glycemic foods, wine, or chocolate.  You can check out her blog for a description.  I was curious about what they would feed us – but it turned out to be AMAZING.

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They made homemade veggie burger lettuce wraps with roasted Brussel sprouts on the side.

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But the kicker was Mama Pea’s Mmmm Sauce, which I will be making again in, oh… tonight?  Lunch?!  It was heavenly.  Make this now, drizzle on everything!

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Afterwards, the Husband and I drank wine and ate dark chocolate, which was provided by Nicole.  I thought it was very nice of her to share sugar when she can’t eat it. 🙂

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We stayed up sooo late talking about politics, vegetarianism, education, religion… Luckily, I think the four of us agree on pretty much everything (or are polite enough to keep it all kosher).  It was a late night of debate!

 

A big breakfast before a very big activity:

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We are going KAYAKING today!  I am so excited.  I haven’t kayaked in years.

 

To fuel:

 

  • 3/4 cup oatmeal
  • 1/2 cup almond milk
  • 1/2 cup water
  • 1 banana
  • Chia seeds
  • Vanilla extract
  • Topping: Sunflower seeds

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Gotta go! 

 

I look forward to your book reviews.  🙂

{ 57 comments }

 

  • Holly @ The Runny Egg April 17, 2011, 9:35 am

    Have fun kayaking! I’ve never been, but it looks like fun!

    I’m looking forward to those book reviews! Great idea.

  • Freya April 17, 2011, 9:35 am

    Ooh what a delicious meal! I went to a raw food class yesterday, and both the guys who did it suffered from candida, went raw and are 100% better now. Very interesting!
    Have a great day 🙂 (I hate kayaking – it scares me :s)

  • Chad April 17, 2011, 9:35 am

    I haven’t read the books but I’ve heard good things about the Karnazes book – Dean Karnazes ran 50 marathons in fifty days… (wait for it)… in 50 states!

  • Kara April 17, 2011, 9:43 am

    Kayaking is so much fun! It’s much more fun when it’s warm, I’ve only ever done it in very cold water (in Maine) and those drips off the oars were freezing!

  • Jamie@Healthywalk April 17, 2011, 9:44 am

    Enjoy kayaking! I’ve gone a couple of times and have failed miserably at it, but it’s been so much fun and a great workout both times!

    I haven’t read any of those books, but I look forward to seeing the reviews! What a great idea!

    P.S.- I love the new picture on your little “about me” sidebar! Beautiful!

  • The Teenage Taste April 17, 2011, 9:46 am

    Have fun kayaking, Caitlin! I’ve never been, but it sounds like a lot of fun!
    PS – I love the new picture of you on your sidebar! So cute! 😀

  • Julie (A Case of the Runs) April 17, 2011, 9:47 am

    I’ll send you a review!

    I saw that post on the candida kill-off diet and admire Nicole for doing that (I’m sure it’s for the better, though!) and that her boyfriend is supporting the effort, as well!

  • Jenny @ Fitness Health and Food April 17, 2011, 9:53 am

    that sounds like a very interesting diet I’ve never heard of it before. The basic principles seem reasonable.

    What a great idea to go kayaking, have a great time! 🙂

  • Khushboo April 17, 2011, 9:57 am

    That sounds like a delicious meal- love when meals/dietary restrictions turn out to be surprisingly tasty! Have fun kayaking- never been but I can only imagine what your arms are going to feel like afterward :D!

  • Amanda- The Nutritionist Reviews April 17, 2011, 9:57 am

    I have to ask you, does Maggie get along with other dogs? I have two mini dachshunds and when I take them on a walk, they bark at other dogs like crazy!

    • Caitlin April 17, 2011, 9:59 am

      She is very passive and dumb. It’s like she’s walking around half awake at all times. She would never bark at another dog on the street. I don’t think she is all there.

      • Lucy @ The Sweet Touch April 17, 2011, 10:25 am

        Lol, and I love that you mean that in the most loving way possible!

        Sounds like you had a fun night, I love friends like that!

        Have fun kayaking, can’t wait to read about it:)

  • Heather @ Health, Happiness, and Hope April 17, 2011, 9:58 am

    What an amazing meal! I’ve never heard of the Candida diet before, but obviously they are still able to enjoy delicious foods. 😉

    Have fun kayaking!!! Love all the sunflower seeds to fuel you up!

  • Molly @ RDexposed April 17, 2011, 9:59 am

    It’s Not About the Bike has gotten me through life. I return to this book time and time again when I’m going through a personally challenging time in my life. Lance is such an inspiration in this book. You find yourself going through each emotion he went through from his diagnosis, treatment, recovery, and triumph. You will also despise team Cofidis!
    I urge everyone to read this book!

  • Molly @ RDexposed April 17, 2011, 10:01 am

    Oh and Fast Food Nation? Read it freshman year of college. It gets a bit boring at times. I’d recommend watching Food Inc rather than reading Fast Food Nation.
    I’d also say read It’s Not About the Bike! Yes, I had to say it again!

    • amber April 17, 2011, 7:33 pm

      What I’ve always said is that I think Fast Food Nation is super interesting if you really want the facts and statistics of the food industry. It is great for research and if you really want to hardcore shock yourself. I read it in the 8th grade, and I think it changed my life. If you found it boring, I recommend Eating Animals by Jonathan Safran Foer. It is a little more story-like.

  • Errign April 17, 2011, 10:07 am

    Have fun kayaking – I love it & never remember that I own one 🙂

  • Caitlyn (The Spoonful of Life) April 17, 2011, 10:16 am

    I have never been kayaking but is looks like it would be a blast! Have fun!

  • Brittany April 17, 2011, 10:17 am

    It looks like you had a blast last night. I can’t wait to hear how kayaking goes today. I’ve never been!

  • Baking 'n' Books April 17, 2011, 10:25 am

    I just have to say that I LOVE your new picture on the side!! Beautiful and very spring-like.

    Hmm…is it mostly books geared towards athletics/sports though?

  • Stacy @ Every Little Thing April 17, 2011, 10:27 am

    Oh man, no offense to her but that sounds like the worst diet ever! haha no wine and chocolate?!

    Have fun kayaking!

  • Sarah (Running To Slow Things Down) April 17, 2011, 10:28 am

    Mmm…the meal looks fabulous!

    And you look stunning! I love your hair cut and your shirt is adorable too. 😀

  • Andie (canyoustayfordinner.com) April 17, 2011, 10:30 am

    You look beautiful. You and Nicole both look beautiful in that photo from last night!

    Have fun kayaking!

  • Kelly April 17, 2011, 10:36 am

    Have fun kayaking! It is definitely a fun and challenging activity!!

  • Kate (What Kate is Cooking) April 17, 2011, 10:43 am

    I want to go kayaking! I bet that’s a good arm workout 🙂

  • Cait @ Beyond Bananas April 17, 2011, 10:45 am

    Those lettuce wraps look really good! What an interesting diet! I hope you have fun kayaking. I’ve never been.. but am sure you will get a great work out and come back nice and sore!

  • Mama Pea April 17, 2011, 10:47 am

    I’m so excited you guys ate the Mmmm Sauce and thus were thinking good things about me smack dab in the middle of your “dinner party.” 🙂 I love to worm my way in there somehow!

  • Angela @ Eat Spin Run Repeat April 17, 2011, 11:02 am

    Great idea with the book reviews! I haven’t read many of those books so I’m looking forward to hearing what others have to say! 🙂

  • Sarena (The Non Dairy Queen) April 17, 2011, 11:03 am

    It’s always nice to have friends you can actually talk to about that stuff. Being open minded is really important to any relationship and feeling comfortable enough to be yourself will make for lasting friendships. Have fun today!

  • Stephanie April 17, 2011, 11:09 am

    Hi, I’m Stephanie! I’ve been a long time follower of your blog and finally decided to make one of my own! Your blog has definitely been one of my inspirations to start running so I figured I would leave a comment so I wasn’t a stranger anymore 🙂

    Have fun kayaking!! I’m jealous, it’s still in the 40’s here! And I can’t wait for the book reviews either!

    • Caitlin April 17, 2011, 8:23 pm

      Hi Stephanie! Welcome to the blog world.

  • Amber K April 17, 2011, 11:33 am

    Wow, that looks like a delicious meal! I fear going on an elimination diet, even though I think it might help me. Mostly because I’m worried about what in the world I would be able to eat! I guess I’ll have to try that Mmm sauce 🙂

    Have fun kayaking!

  • Ashley @ Feeding Ashley April 17, 2011, 11:52 am

    I love your new picture! That meal looks really great, and creative.

  • Katie April 17, 2011, 11:59 am

    I just discovered your blog via the AOL article you wrote yesterday, and I am IN LOVE with it. As a twenty-something vegetarian dog-walker trying to live a holistic, healthy, active lifestyle, I think this is just the daily motivation I’ve been looking for!

    • Caitlin April 17, 2011, 8:22 pm

      We’re twinsies! 🙂 Welcome to the blog.

  • Chelsea @ One Healthy Munchkin April 17, 2011, 12:21 pm

    Great idea for a book review post! Just in time for summer reading!

    I love kayaking except I’m still a scarred from the time when I was practicing my rolls and I got stuck underwater! 😛 Have fun today!

  • Stacey @ Being Stacey April 17, 2011, 1:06 pm

    Have fun kayaking! By the way, I love the new photo of you in the lefthand side bar. 🙂

  • Rachel April 17, 2011, 1:26 pm

    Since you brought up book reviews, I thought I’d mention that this week’s New York Times Magazine is on health and wellness and that there are some very good articles in it.

    I’ve read some good health and sports books, but I really only trust information from print journalists, since journalists don’t have an agenda like some other authors. I loved Michael Pollan’s The Omnivore’s Dilemma and In Defense of Food. (Not only is Pollan a former NY Times journalist, but he’s also a professor at my alma mater. Go Bears!)

  • Rachel @ The Perseverance Diaries April 17, 2011, 1:43 pm

    Those lettuce wraps look delicious! Have fun kayaking, so much fun. Somehow I always fear I am going to tip over into water full of alligators (when I used to live in FL) but fortunately you don’t have to worry about that in NC! Haha.

    I haven’t read any of those books but now that you mention it, I want to go buy Lance Armstrong’s book. He’s been such an inspiration to me throughout my cancer journey now. Looking forward to the book review of this one for sure!

  • Ellie@fitforthesoul April 17, 2011, 2:37 pm

    I haven’t read those books, but it’s great that you open this up to the public!~ 🙂 And I should definitely try mama pea’s sauce!

  • Meryl April 17, 2011, 2:41 pm

    This is in response to your previous post, but I really wanted to tell you your mantra ” I can always run less” has been extremely helpful for me. Having struggled with compulsive exercise and later guilt over actually exercising this saying has helped keep me grounded. Thanks.

    • Caitlin April 17, 2011, 8:22 pm

      Sometimes your body just needs the break 🙂

  • Annette @ EnjoyYourHealthyLife April 17, 2011, 4:08 pm

    Ohhh kayaking is great!!! Love the idea of a review–I will send one in 🙂

  • Maria April 17, 2011, 5:31 pm

    Caitlin, I love your new side bar picture-beautiful! Where did you get that gorgeous scarf?!

    • Caitlin April 17, 2011, 8:22 pm

      Thank you so much sweetie!! 🙂 Target.

  • Ashley @ Thefitacademic April 17, 2011, 6:17 pm

    Love the new pic in the side-bar! So fun!

  • Lisa (bakebikeblog) April 17, 2011, 6:21 pm

    what a lovely evening with friends!!!

  • Flo (Coconut Chronicles) April 17, 2011, 6:27 pm

    Have fun kayaking! It sounds like you had a great evening, too. I could totally do that elimination ‘diet’ if I was served up food like that… well, aside from the fact that I couldn’t eat chocolate. I couldn’t deal with that.

  • Laura April 17, 2011, 8:10 pm

    Where is your outfit from?! Its super cute!

    • Caitlin April 17, 2011, 8:21 pm

      Thanks 🙂 It’s just a white cardigan from Express, a yellow belt from Target, and a scarf from Target 🙂

  • Christine April 17, 2011, 9:31 pm

    When do you want the reviews by?

    • Caitlin April 17, 2011, 9:46 pm

      I’m grouping the ones that I receive into groups. I’m going to do sports nonfiction first, and once I have two reviews from a book, that category is closed. Food books are next. 🙂

  • Lorin April 18, 2011, 2:03 am

    Oatmeal without peanut butter on top? I commend you, I have to have it with oatmeal it makes it complete. Though, I am a peanut butter addict so maybe it’s just me

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